Pulsator system



Sept. 14, 1948,

A, E- KREMILLER PULSATOR SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sh 1 Filed May 25, 1945 P 1948-A. E. KREMILLER 2,449,392

PULSATOR SYSTEM Filed May 25, 1945 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. E. KREMILLERSept. 14, 1948.

PULSATOR SYSTEM 3 Shee'ts-Sheet 3 Filed May 25, 1945 Patented Sept. 14,1948 2,449,392 PUIJSATOR SYSTEM Arthur ;E. Krem'iller, Glendale, Califi,assignoi' to Adel PrecisionProducts Corp a-corporation of Californiaimputation Maybe, 1945, Sei-ial Nb. teat-52 Claims. (01. 60 54.5)

This invention relates to closed hydraulic systerms in which a masterunit-is operable to transmit "motion or power to a motor unit by meansof a hydraulic fluid, and it hasamong its salient objects:

To provide in such a system means for filling or refilling the systemwith the hydraulic fluid without the necessity of disconnecting any ofthe parts or connections thereof;

To provide in such a system means whereby either the master or the motorunit may be utilized as the pump'mea'ns for filling the system andcreating the initial pressure under which thesystem-operat'es.

To provide in such asystem a pressure-equalizing mechanism connectedthereinto in such a way as to automatically equalize the pressure of thefluid in the entire system during the filling or refilling process, andwhich also operates thereafter 'to compensate for any volumetric changesincident to thermal expansion or contraction of the hydraulic fluid insaid system.

In order to fully explain the invention, I have shown it connected intosuch a closed hydraulic system, which I will now describe: I

Fig. 1 is'a schematic representation of a closed hydraulic system, withparts in section, embodying my invention, and in which the filling, andthe pressure-equalizing mechanisms are shown; the operating parts beingshown in the positions occupied during the initial, or in-take stroke ofthe filling'process;

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the parts in the positions occupied on thefilling or pressure stroke of said mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the positions of the parts during thepumping or pressure creating action of the filling operation;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional View taken on the line 4--4 ofFig.1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a lock valvemechanism, associated with the motor unit, and

Fig. '6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6-6of Fig. 1.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the closed hydraulic system hererepresented includes a master unit, designated as a whole A, a slave ormotor unit, designated as a whole B, a pressure equalizing unit ormechanism, designated as a whole D, and a filler or supply valvemechanism, designated as a whole F.

One side of the master unit A is shown connected by means of pipes C andC through the supply valve "mechanism'F, and toon'e side of the pressureequalizer -D. The other side of sa'idi'p'ressure equalizermechanism isshown connected by means of a pipe G with the other side of said masterunit A. Said pressure equalizer mechanism D is also shown connected "inseries by the.

pipes E and H to opposite sides of the slave unit B. The master unit A,and also the sl'ave unit B are provided with bypass valve mechanisms IahdJ of-knowntyp'e.

The slave unit, however, is provided in its lower part with a hydraulicv'alve locking means, as shown in enlarged "sectional View in Fig. 5,and which is, described in detail in a pending applicaticn of thepresent applicant, Serial No- 502,343, new Pat. No. 2,436,009. Thishydraulic locking means is interposed between the slave unit -B and thepipes E and H connected therewith and controls the flow of fluid to andfrom the cylinder B of said slave unit. This is a pressure operatedcontrol and includes a floating piston 45 with a piston valve 46 at oneend con trolling a port '41 to said cylinder B, with another :pistonvalve '48 at the other end controlling a port 49, as clearly shown.Fluid entering from pipe connection E between piston 45 and valve 46moves them apart, thus opening port 41 and allowing fluid to flow upinto the cylinder B. At the same time the pressure on. and movementstood, of course, that the :by-pass valve J will have been opened duringthe filling, or refilling operation, and when the air is beingfor'cedout of the system through the bleeder fitting K, as

before described, and this is beingaccomplished without disconnectingthe system in any of its closed connections.

Referring first to the filler valve mechanism F, I will describe theconstruction thereof which is clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, andcomprises a body I, having a longitudinal bore 2 there through, whichvaries in diameter as shown in said view. -An intermediate or connectingbore 3 is also shown, to which the pipe C is: connected with the usualcoupling parts, designated as a whole 3. The lower end of said valvebody I is shown connected with pipe C, as at C and is provided thereinwith a spring-closed check valve 4, as shown. Said check valve exceptwhen the system is being filled, as 'seen in Fig. 3,

is held off its seat by a pin '5 of triangular form in cross section,mounted for reciprocation in the bore 2.

At its *other "end, said valve body his preview 3 with a combinationvalve and filling connection element 6, in the form of a hollow nipple,threaded into the enlarged end of the bore 2. Below the threaded portionof said nipple, it is provided with a sealing ring 1.

Said nipple is also provided with an annular reduction, forming the neckportion 8, to provide clearance for a through pin 8 which operates toprevent the nipple from being completely-withdrawn when it is turnedoutwardly. When said nipple is screwed down, as shown in Fig. 3, itforces a second valve element I downwardly against the triangular pin 5,and against the tension of the spring l0, and. opens the valve element4, whereby inflow from pipeC- can pass downwardly around said pin 5, andout through the pipe C to the pressure equalizer D, as shown.

The inner end of the coupling member C? is pro since the two sides ofthe equalizer are interconnected through the pipe E and H upon theopening of the by-pass J fluid will be supplied to both sides thereof.It will be understood that the equalizer here shown is in principle likethat disclosed for example in applicants above mentioned priorapplication in that a stepped piston vided with a transverse slot 4' sothat when'the valve 4 is seated on the end of the coupling memberCZfluid flow from the pipe C to the pipe, C- or vise versa will not beprevented. At the same time, this seating of the valve ball 4-and theengagementtherewith of theball'valve I0 and rod 5- will create a firmseating of the ball valve Ill against the member 6 to prevent either theescape of fluid or the intake of air.

When it is desired to fill the system, the screw K is removed from thebleeder fitting K, in the pipe line G, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, andthe by-pass screw J in the motor unit '3 is opened to permit fiow' offluidfrom either end of the motor unit cylinder B',-whereupon the springII, or other pressure, in the pressure equalizer D, will cause itspiston 9 to move downwardlyandexpel the airor fluid containedpthereinwith expulsion of a corresponding amount through said bleeder unitv K.This pressure equalizer will be described in detail later. I

=-The-nipple;6iat the u per end of the lapse valve mechanism'F isunscrewed, releasing the ballvalves4 and I 0 to operate as check valvesand-the nipple is then connected withv a source of supply of hydraulicfluid, designated ina general way as a tank or reservoir M, connectedwith the nipple. element 6.

Uponmovingthe operating'leverL to the left,

as seen in Fig. 1 which moves its piston P, fluid will'be drawn from thesupply M through the nipple element-6,. and the check valve I 0, andintolthe-pipeC, as will be clear from the showing When saidoperatinglever L, and saidpiston P are moved to the other end of.:itsstroke, as seen inFig. 2, the fluid will be discharged from saidcylinder andpipe C through the fillerbody I: and the lower check valve4, and throughpipe C"; to one side of the equalizer D and thence throughthe pipe E to the motor unit B in which it passes through the openby-pass'J to the pipe Heto and through the other side of the equalizerD, and thence through pipe G to the opposite sideof the master unit A.This'constitutesa pumping action, as said operating 'lever- L isoperated back and forth for drawing fluid-from the: source of supply atM into one end of said filler mechanism F, and then forcingit'out'at theother end': thereof, said double check valves J I El and 4 accomplishingthis as suction'and pressure arealternately applied to-said body I,"through thepipe C and its connection with said body.fjl.;'-

This pumping actionican be kept up until all the air is forced out ofthe entire systemthr'ough the bleeder fitting K in the return pipe G,leading to the master unit A. After this is accomplished thescrew K' isreplaced in; the fitting K, as in and cylinder are provided, thediameters of which are so proportioned that for a given axial movementthe same volumetric change is effected in each side of the equalizer.The presr sure fluid is thus filled up therein to whatever predeterminedheight desired, and this can be determined or measured by insertinga,measuringrod through the opening I2 in the cap I3 of;

the pressure equalizer and which is normally closed by a screw plug I4,after which thenipple element 5 and its valve seat 6 of said fillermechanism is screwed down into the body memseat 6 in the inner end ofsaid nipple element 6, and the, other valve 4 is held away from itsupper seat,and willzbe seated on the slotted upper; end 4 of thecoupling element 0 whereby flow orfluid from pipe C and out through pipeC to the pressure equalizer is not interfered with;,as will. beunderstood from the showing made; inzlilgs. 1, 2 and3.

1- will now jdescribe the pressure equalizer connected into the systemhere illustrated forjthe' purpose of equalizing the pressures on-bothsidesof the system andfor compensating for'volu metricchanges by reasonof thermal expansion or contraction ;of the hydraulic fluid fillingthesystem. This mechanism is shown in Figs- 1-,;2

and 3 and includes abody l5 having therein two reservoir portions'orpiston chambers I6 and I1 of different diameters, as shown, with apistonfl moving therein, and having two different 'portions adapted tothe different parts of said piston chambers, whereby said chambersIii-and I! are simultaneously, and equally increased and de-- creased involumeby the movement of said piston- 9. Said piston 9 is provided withsealing rings I8 and I9 near itsopposite ends; These operate in the twoportions of said piston chambers I6 and I1.

A cap'I3 is shown secured to the top of said body I 5 by means of thescrews 28, '20, and within which is a coiled spring I I operating on theupper end of said piston.

The lower end of said pressure equalizer'is provided with fourconnections as C, E, and H and G, with which the pipes C, E, H and Gare. connected in series through the two chambers I6 and I1 ofsaidequalizer, as indicated in the sectional view in Fig. 3.

Thev pumping action incident to filling the system is'continued withexpulsion :of fluid out. of the'bleeder port invthe fitting K. untilitis certain that a llentrapped air has been expelled .after which theplug K is replaced'and'more' fluid pumped into the system against thespring imposed pressure of the equalizer as above explained. After thefilling operation has been completed and "the inlet closed by screwingdown the fitting 6, the pistons of the master and motor units are movedto the same end of their strokes after which the by-pass J is closed bythe valve J and thereafter the two units will move in synchronism.

Thus it is that there has been provided in a motion transmitting system,means whereby the reciprocations of one of the units (master or motor)may be utilized for introducing fluid into the system and for creatingthe necessary initial pressure in the system thus eliminating thenecessity of providing auxiliary pumping means heretofore required forthat function.

I do not limit the invention to the details of construction andarrangement shown and described for illustrative purposes, except as Imay be limited by the hereto appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a pulsator system comprising a master unit, a motor unit connectedthereto for actuation thereby, and a pressure maintaining and equalizingmeans connected in series between said units, the combination of valvemeans interposed between said master unit and said equalizing meanscomprising a body member having a port connected to said master unit, asecond port communicating with said first port and connected to saidequalizer, a third port communicating with said first port and adaptedto be connected with a source of supply, a spring pressed check valve insaid third port arranged to prevent outflow therethrough, a springpressed check valve in said second port arranged to prevent flowtherethrough frOm said equalizer to said master unit and meansassociated with said valve body constructed and arranged to unseat saidlast named check valve.

2. In a pulsator system comprising a master unit, a motor unit connectedthereto for actuation thereby, and a pressure maintaining and equalizingmeans connected in series between said units, the combination of valvemeans interposed between said master unit and said equalizing meanscomprising a body member having a port connected to said master unit, asecond port communicating with said first port and connected to saidequalizer, a third port communicating with said first port and adaptedto be connected with a source of supply, a spring pressed check valve insaid third port arranged to prevent outflow therethrough, a springpressed check valve in said second port arranged to prevent flowtherethrough from said equalizer to said master unit and adjustablemeans associated with said check valves, operable in one position ofadjustment to release said check valves with resultant conversion ofsaid master unit to a pump means for filling said system and operable inanother position of adjustment to disable said check valves withresultant operation of said master unit in its normal function ofcontrolling the movement of said motor unit.

3. In a pulsator system, comprising a master unit including a cylinder,and a double acting piston reciprocable therein, a motor unit comprisinga cylinder and a double acting piston reciprocable therein, fluidconduits connecting the ends of the master unit cylinder with the endsof the motor unit cylinder, the combination of valve means interposed inseries in one of said fluid lines; said means comprising a valve bodyhaving ports connected to the fluid line in which it is positioned and athird port adapted to be connected with a source of fluid supply, checkvalve means in said valve body for controlling the flow of liquidthrough one of said first named ports and said third port and adjustabledevices associated with said check valve means operable in one positionof adjustment to release said check valves with resultant conversion ofsaid master unit to a pump means for filling said system and operable inanother position or adjustment to disable said check valves withresultant operation of said master unit in its normal function ofcontrolling the movement of said motor unit.

4. A valve means adapted to be connected in series in one line of ahydraulic system, said means comprising a valve body having a pair ofcommunicating ports adapted to be connected to the adjacent ends of saidfluid line and a third port adapted to be connected to a source of fluidsupply, a check valve disposed between said pair of ports, a secondcheck valve associated with said third port arranged to permit fluidflow from said source of supply, and devices associated with said checkvalves operable in one position of adjustment to disable said firstnamed check valve and to lock said second named check valve against itsseat and in another position of adjustment to release both of saidvalves for free operation as check valves.

5. A valve means adapted to be connected in series in one line of ahydraulic system, said means comprising a valve body having a boreextending th'erethrough, one end of said bore being adapted to beconnected to one end of said fluid line, means at the other end of saidbore affording connection with a source of fluid supply, a second portin said valve body adapted to be connected to the adjacent end of saidfluid line, and communicating with said bore, a valve seat, a springpressed check valve engageable with said seat and operative when seatedto prevent fluid flow from said first named end of said bore to saidsecond port, an abutment in said bore at the side of said check valveopposite said valve seat, a second check valve, a seat for said secondcheck valve associated with the other end of said bore and manuallyoperable means threaded into said body effective in one position ofadjustment to position said first named check valve against saidabutment and to lock said second named check valve against its seat andeffective in another position of adjustment to release said check valvesfor yielding engagement with said valve seats.

ARTHUR E. KREM'ILLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number

